"Rocks of All Kinds, But Mostly Hard"

Annals of Cabinbuilding

Bob, daughter Bobbie,     and Pat Drew.

Bob Dozier ‘23 #23

Mrs. Barton (Mary) Dozier South Bonnie Brae Street
Los Angeles, Calif
Claremont, Calif
Dec. 12 1921

My dear Mother,

Wednesday was the Annual Class Ditch Day when the classes adjourn to the mountains. Seniors of course went to Camp Baldy; Juniors to Cucamonga Canyon; Sophs to San Dimas Canyon; Frosh to Stoddard’s Canyon. We deserted our classes and spent the day at hard labor at the cabin site. All morning from 8 o’clock till lunch time, we gathered rocks at the foot of the cable. Big rocks, little rocks, rocks of all kinds, but mostly hard. It was hard work and we worked hard and really accomplished a lot. The afternoon we spent in hauling the rocks up the cable and to the cabin site. The cable is about 150 or 200 feet long with about a 75 or 100 foot rise. From the top it is necessary to carry the rocks about 50 feet farther.

We have a cart hung on the cable by a pulley. A rope is tied to a tree at the top of the cable, passes thru a pulley on the cart, a pulley at the top, a pulley on the ground near the end of the cable, and thence to “Primitive,” Joe Caldwell’s old car. Primitive when properly stimulated, saunters up the road and thus causes the cartload of rocks to ascend the tramway. Then Primitive backs down the road when the cart is emptied, and we load up again for another trip. [Primitive was a progressive shift Maxwell according to Bob. —Eds.]

All went well and we hoisted a tolerable good mess of rocks, till—one time the cart caught when it was almost at the top. Primitive, of course, kept on and the rope snapped near the cart. The cart was about three feet long by two feet wide by one feet deep, and in carried some three hundred to five hundred pounds of fairly solid rock. Once loose, all the king’s horses and all the king’s men couldn’t make it drop up-hill. So down it went. The rocks were thrown some 50 or 60 feet and the wreckage went about 25 feet after it hit the tree at the lower terminus. We saved the bolts.

A new cart is now made and ready for use. That day was well worth while. We accomplished as much then as we have done at odd times all semester. It’s quite a job to gather the materials for a large rock cabin, but two or three more full days will see everything on deck, I think. [When he spoke at alumni weekend, Bob observed that moving the rest of the material actually took several more months! —Eds.]

I have had printed some cards for the Alumni Roster. You can get an idea of the scope of my plans for the records from the proof which I enclose.

[Below, Bob sends his mother some information to help plan a visit. —Eds.]

I have priced rooms at the [Claremont] Inn. By the day, 4 to 6 dollars for one person and 7.50 up, for two. By the week, 25 to 45 dollars for one, 45 up for two. Meals included. Rent by day or week.

Let this suffice for this time. Hope you all are well.

Later, 12/12/21

P.S. Mother dear—please let me amend my letter somewhat. The Frat decided this evening to work on the cabin during the Holidays. I hope it will not break up your plans and pleasure too much if I get back here in time to start early Friday morning, the 30th, to San Dimas Canyon. This is our last chance to get any full days of work in, and four days should do a whole lot. The other fellows are going to sacrifice their time. I only wish that I could sacrifice my pleasure without disappointing you. I would like to be home for the whole time, but much depends on what we do those four days. How do you feel about it?

Affectionately,

--Bob Dozier '23 #3